Sevens rugby isn't everybody's cup of char, but even the sceptics have to admit there is something special about travelling to Melrose at the start of April every year.

Whether in the fact this is the place where local butcher Ned Haig invented the abbreviated game which has now become a global phenomenon, or in the mixture of efficiency and effervescence which the refulgent little Borders community brings to organising the tournament, this is one of Scotland's events to savour.

It helps, of course, that Aberdeen Asset Management have joined the party as main sponsors and added their significant clout to the proceedings. But one of the most refreshing aspects of the Melrose Sevens is its lack of parochialism. Last year, Clermont Auvergne, the USA Tigers and Trinidad and Tobago kicked off in the Borders. On Saturday, the German national team will be at The Greenyards for the first time and if you didn't know they even played rugby, one suspects you will be in pretty good company.

Yet, equally, while the majority of the German squad are amateurs and can expect a tough baptism in what will be the 125th staging of the Melrose festival, these visitors have lofty ambitions for the future. As their Sevens manager, Manuel Wilhelm, said: "Funding is always a priority in minority sports, but things are certainly improving in Germany.

"We know that playing at Melrose will enhance the image of rugby in our country and the media coverage it attracts will help raise our profile.

"[As regards the development], a performance programme was set up two years ago and we now compete in the Sevens Grand Prix Series, so we are moving forward. Rugby Sevens will be a new Olympic sport in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and this is a sea change for the game, because we now receive government funding.

"Our aspiration is to be involved at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and with Germany bidding to host the Games in 2024, we would definitely want to see a national Sevens team playing if we were the host nation.

"In some countries, rugby is taught in practically every school, but it's very different in Germany at the moment. There are two rugby strongholds, Heidelberg and Hanover, and I grew up in the former, where there are six clubs of 120,000 people. Across the rest of the country, it's less dominant, but we are making headway."

The frenetic action in Melrose allows scant time for participants or players to pause for breath. Blink and you've probably missed a try and, in recent seasons, the host club have been among the most accomplished stars on their own patch. Wilhelm isn't making any grand predictions about his ensemble upsetting some seriously powerful opponents - they will meet the winners of Stew-Mel v Ayr in the second round - but he and his compatriots are clearly relishing the chance to shine in a setting graced by such world superstars as David Campese and Waisale Serevi.

"Our captain is 31-year-old Clemens von Grumbkow, who is an experienced forward, who played for Germany at the IRB tournaments in Paris and London, and he spent nine years as a professional in New Zealand, France and Italy. He is also a member of the 15s squad and has more than 40 caps to his name.

"Another player to highlight is 24-year-old Fabian Heimpel, who is our fly half or centre. He is a good kicker with great skills and a sneaky sidestep. We know that Melrose will be a big challenge for us, but it was an easy decision to attend.

"After all, this was the place where Sevens originated, so playing at The Greenyards feels like being part of history and a long tradition. We're honoured to be part of that story."

They will have to adapt quickly to being flung into such exalted company, but rugby is increasing its appeal across Europe and the Olympic incentive can only help Germany in that process.

After all, few people thought a decade ago that Afghanistan would be competing in cricket's World Cup, but that duly happened and nothing stands still in sport. Melrose, as always, are at the forefront of the game and that's one of the myriad reasons why their Sevens are famous throughout the world.